FONT

SHARE THIS

MORE STORIES

Tigard's Medical Teams International is mobilizing shipments of medicines and medical supplies to care for those affected by Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful typhoons on record.

Many areas in the path of the storm are still recovering from a recent 7.1 earthquake that hit the region on Oct. 15, both increasing the risk of casualties and worsening potential destruction, says Joe DiCarlo, Medical Teams International director of emergency relief and global security. The recent earthquake had already stretched national emergency response teams, leaving the potential for a large-scale humanitarian crisis."

According to the organization, the storm that hit during the weekend has left widespread devastation affecting 4.3 million people, including 800,000 who fled their homes. In Tacloban, the provincial capital of Leyte Island, it is feared at least 10,000 people are dead.

Those numbers are expected to rise as the hardest hit areas become more accessible to rescue and relief efforts.

Medical Teams International, working with International Medical Corps, will ship interagency emergency health kits containing pharmaceuticals and medical items that cover the basic needs of people for three months.